Appendi
The Prophetic Gift
In the beginning, when man was created and placed in the garden
of Eden, he could talk with his Creator and with the angels face to
face. When sin entered, this privilege was withdrawn. Man became
subject to death, and was unable to look upon the wonderful glory of
God, or to live in His presence.
But though fallen man could no longer talk directly with God,
yet our loving heavenly Father has ever maintained communication
with the human family. Through the ministry of holy angels, He has
provided for men and women protection from the influences of evil,
and help to live in accordance with His will. And through the agency
of His Holy Spirit, God has spoken to the hearts of men, and has made
it possible for even the most sinful and ignorant to find the way that
leads to right-doing and to eternal life.
God has also spoken to the fallen race through chosen human
agencies, to whom He has communicated a knowledge of His purpose
in visions and dreams. These messengers of His will, have been known
as holy men, or prophets, set apart by the Lord Himself for the special
work of receiving and communicating truth from heaven to mankind.
“If there be a prophet among you,” God declares, “I the Lord will
make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in
a dream.”
Numbers 12:6
.
The Holy Scriptures were compiled from the writings of men
thus signally honored. To the people living in their days these men
bore messages from God; and they also taught spiritual truths and
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gave counsels and warnings for the church in future times. To “the
prophets” “it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they
did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that
have preached the gospel unto you.”
1 Peter 1:10-12
.
1
The two articles in this appendix, “The Prophetic Gift” and “Tested by the Word,”
were written by pastors R. W. Munson and D. E. Robinson, in the autumn of 1914.
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